Whether you call it visceral or rockin', the music of Chicago-based composer Marc Mellits is never less than smokin' hot. In this album of ensemble works, New Music Detroit not only finds the groove, it shakes it. Smoke is the culmination of a long and fruitful relationship between NMD and Mellits: "Marc is one of our oldest friends and collaborators so it was only natural to feature his music on our first official album. We were especially excited to record Smoke, which was commissioned and premiered by NMD," says artistic director and percussionist Ian Ding. Marc Mellits echoes that sentiment: "My good friends New Music Detroit are able to combine finesse with raw power in this wonderful new recording of my works; I am absolutely thrilled with the results of our long and warm collaboration." The four works, three of which have not been previously recorded, display Mellits' unique spirit and virtuosity in an album that spans a full spectrum of emotion- an eclectic combination of driving rhythms, soaring lyricism, and colorful orchestrations that all combine to communicate directly with the listener. Composer Marc Mellits is one of the leading American composers of his generation, enjoying hundreds of performances throughout the world every year, making him one of the most performed living composers in the United States. From Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, to prestigious music festivals in Europe and the US, Mellits' music is a popular mainstay on programs around the world.